Connector for profiles

ABSTRACT

A connector device ( 10.1 ) for connecting a first profile ( 26 ) to the end side of a second profile ( 28 ) with a central recess ( 80 ), having a connector bolt ( 12.1 ) with a shank ( 40 ) and an end contour ( 14 ), it being possible for the shank ( 40 ) of the connector bolt ( 12.1 ) to be arranged and fixed in the central recess ( 80 ) of the second profile ( 28 ), and the end contour ( 14 ), in the installed state of the connector device, engaging with clamping action behind a recess, in particular a groove ( 42 ), in the first profile ( 26 ), is characterized in that the connector bolt ( 12.1 ) is adjoined, on the end side which is located opposite the end contour ( 14 ), by an extension element ( 30.1 ) with an end stop ( 32 ), the extension element ( 30.1 ) is mounted with sliding action in a bushing ( 34 ) which can be fixed with clamping action in the central recess ( 80 ) of the second profile ( 28 ), and provided between the bushing ( 34 ) and the connector bolt ( 12.1 ) is an elastic element ( 36 ) which acts directly or indirectly on the sliding bushing ( 34 ) and the connector bolt ( 12.1 ).

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to a connector device forconnecting a first profile to the end side of a second profile with acentral recess, having a connector bolt with a shank and an end contour,it being possible for the shank of the connector bolt to be arranged andfixed in the central recess of the second profile, and the end contour,in the installed state of the connector device, engaging with clampingaction behind a recess, in particular a groove, in the first profile.

[0002] Such connector devices are preferably used for connectingaluminum profiles, the first profile having at least one groove on theoutside and the second profile being connected, from its end side, tothe first profile by means of the connector device.

PRIOR ART

[0003] EP-0 311 834 B1 discloses a connector device of the typementioned in the introduction. The profiles are clamped via a connectorbolt with a conical depression in which there engages a conical threadedpin which is screwed into a clamping sleeve inserted in the secondprofile.

[0004] In the case of a further known connector device, for the purposeof improving handling during installation, a spring is inserted betweenthe sleeve and the connector head and pushes the connector bolt outward,this producing the necessary amount of joining play for inserting theconnector bolt into the first profile.

[0005] The disadvantage of this solution resides in the weakening of theconnector bolt, which has to be reduced in order to accommodate thespring, which results in a reduction in the clamping surface areabetween the conical depression and threaded pin. Furthermore, such aconnector device is accompanied by relatively high outlay duringinstallation and/or the introduction of the spring with the bolt intothe clamping sleeve.

[0006] In the case of the connector device disclosed in DE 38 19 609 A1,the spring is positioned between the connector bolt and a stopper whichis to be introduced into the profile bore. Here too, relatively highoutlay is necessary for introducing the stopper by means of an auxiliaryinstallation tool. It is also the case that the spring has to beinserted separately into the bore, and it is only then that the bolt canbe guided into the sleeve and secured by means of the threaded pin.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Taking the abovementioned prior art as the departure point, theobject or the technical problem on which the present invention is basedis to specify a connector device which is easy to install and to handle,ensures the necessary amount of joining play for inserting the connectorbolt and, overall, allows a permanently reliable connection between thetwo profiles.

[0008] The connector device according to the invention is provided bythe features of independent claim 1. Advantageous configurations anddevelopments form the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] Accordingly, the connector device according to the invention isdistinguished in that the connector bolt is adjoined, on the end sidewhich is located opposite the end contour, by an extension element withan end stop, the extension element is mounted with sliding action in abushing which can be fixed with clamping action in the central recess ofthe second profile, and provided between the bushing and the connectorbolt is an elastic element which acts directly or indirectly on thesliding bushing and the connector bolt.

[0010] The spring element is thus arranged following the connector bolt,with the result that the entire cross section of the connector bolt isavailable for bracing the latter and a large abutment surface area isthus available for a clamping screw.

[0011] A particularly preferred configuration, which ensurescost-effective production, is distinguished in that the elastic elementis designed as a spring element, in particular as a helical spring whichencloses the extension element in certain regions.

[0012] According to an alternative configuration, it is possible for theextension element to be formed integrally with the connector bolt or forthe extension element, the connector bolt, the bushing and the elasticelement to form a single manageable unit.

[0013] A particularly preferred configuration is distinguished in thatthe extension element is designed as a drive-in element, in particular anotched nail, drive-in pin or knurled pin.

[0014] As an alternative, it possible for the extension element to beformed in a releasable manner, in particular via a latching element onthe extension element and a corresponding mating latching element on theshank of the connector bolt.

[0015] The extension element may be designed as plastic injectionmolding or a part which is machined by an automatic lathe.

[0016] An advantageous configuration which ensures reliable seating ofthe bushing within the central recess is distinguished in that the outercontour of the bushing which butts against the wall of the centralrecess of the second profile is of double-lipped design.

[0017] As an alternative, the outer contour of the bushing may also beof semicircular design with convex curvature.

[0018] In respect of straightforward production, it is advantageous forthe bushing to have a sliding flanged bushing within it.

[0019] A configuration which is advantageous particularly in respect ofcost-effective production is distinguished in that the the shank of theextension unit has a stop for the bushing. The bushing is preferablyprovided with a radial slit which, in conjunction with a spring ringpositioned in the wall, ensures reliable fixing of the bushing withinthe central recess during the installation process.

[0020] In order to increase the strength of the connection as a whole, aparticularly preferred development is distinguished in that the headcontour of the connector bolt is designed as a head which has a circularcross section and of which the encircling end border which is orientedtoward the shank has an annular cutting edge.

[0021] In order to ensure reliable transmission of the necessaryconnection forces, a particularly advantageous configuration isdistinguished in that there is provided a connector sleeve which has aninternal thread and can be introduced into a bore which is providedperpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the second profile andhas a bolt recess such that the connector device can be pushed throughthe bolt recess when the connector sleeve has been inserted into thebore, and a threaded pin with corresponding external thread can bescrewed into the internal thread of said connector sleeve, it beingpossible for the threaded pin, at least in certain regions, to bescrewed in a form-fitting manner, by way of its end region, into acontour provided on the shank of the connector bolt, as a result ofwhich the end contour of the connector bolt is clamped in the recess ofthe first profile.

[0022] The connector device according to the invention avoids all of thedisadvantages known in the prior art. The connector bolt is providedwith a spring element which is arranged following the conical depressionof the connector shank. This means that the connector bolt is notweakened in any way in the functioning and clamping region. In contrastto the known configurations, rather than being a loose part, the springelement is an integral constituent part of the connector device, and issupported between a shoulder on the connector bolt and on the bushing.The bushing has a sliding sleeve in which the extension element isguided with sliding action, the bushing being designed, in relation tothe inner wall of the central recess, as a seal-like retaining elementwhich, when the connector bolt is introduced, wedges itself in adimensionally flexible manner against the inner wall of the centralrecess. During installation, the spring element is thus brought intoeffect, and the latter pushes the connector bolt outward, as a result ofwhich the necessary amount of joining play is achieved. The clampingaction of the bushing does away with the prior-art necessity of theconnecting parts being secured via a conical screw during installation,with the result that this step does not form part of the installationprocess and the clamping screw is only actuated when the profiles are inthe joining position.

[0023] A configuration which is particularly preferred in respect ofeasy installation is distinguished in that the geometry of thearrangement and/or the length of the extension element, of the connectorbolt with end contour and the elastic element are coordinated with oneanother such that, once the bushing has been pushed with clamping actioninto the central recess of the second profile, the end contour projectsbeyond the end side of the second profile by an extent which correspondsto the insertion-groove depth of the first profile.

[0024] A particular further development which allows quick and easyinstallation is distinguished in that the end contour of the connectorbolt has at least one evenly flattened region which, with the endcontour introduced into the groove of the first profile, butts againstthe longitudinal groove wall and thus forms a rotation-prevention means,the end contour, in a preferred development, having two mutuallyopposite flattened planar regions.

[0025] Further embodiments and advantages of the invention can begathered from the rest of the features given in the claims and from theexemplary embodiments specified hereinbelow. The features of the claimsmay be combined with one another in any desired manner provided they arenot obviously mutually exclusive.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0026] The invention and advantageous embodiments and developments ofthe same are explained and described in more detail hereinbelow withreference to the examples illustrated in the drawing. The features whichcan be gathered from the description and the drawing can be used,according to the invention, on their own or together in any desiredcombination. In the drawing:

[0027]FIG. 1 shows a schematic sectional illustration through theconnecting region of two profiles with a first variant of a connectordevice with releasably arranged extension element with bushing andspring element,

[0028]FIG. 2 shows a schematic illustration of the connecting regionaccording to FIG. 1 in respective exploded form,

[0029]FIG. 3 shows a schematic illustration of the connecting region oftwo profiles with a second variant of the connector device withextension elements, designed as a drive-in pin, with bushing and springelement in perspective exploded form,

[0030]FIG. 4 shows a schematic section, in detail form, through abushing with double-lipped outer contour and spring ring,

[0031]FIG. 5 shows a schematic sectional illustration through aconnector device which has been pushed with clamping action into asecond profile and has a projecting end contour,

[0032]FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view, in detail form, of theconnecting region of two profiles, with the profiles partly cut away anda connector device with a connector bolt with a flattened end contour,and

[0033]FIG. 7 shows a schematic perspective view, in detail form, of theconnecting bolt with flattened end contour.

METHODS OF IMPLEMENTING THE INVENTION

[0034]FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a first exemplary embodiment of aconnector device 10.1 for connecting a first profile 26 to a secondprofile 28. The two profiles 26, 28 are extruded aluminum profiles whichhave a groove 42 on each outer side and, in addition, have a continuouscentral recess 80 in their cross-sectional center. The second profile 28has its end region fastened on the first profile 26. For this purpose,the connector device 10.1 is introduced into the central recess 80 ofthe second profile 28.

[0035] The connector device 10.1 has a connector bolt 12.1 with acylindrical shank 40, a head contour 14.1, which is designed as a hammerhead, being integrally formed on the front end region of said shank. Thehead contour 14.1 here is configured such that it can be introduced intothe groove 42 such that it engages behind the same. A mating latchingelement 46 with an encircling protrusion is integrally formed on thatend region of the shank 40 which is located opposite the head contour14.1. Furthermore, the shank 40 also has a conical recess 66(depression).

[0036] Latched to the mating latching element 46 is a correspondinglatching element 44, which is a constituent part of astepwise-cylindrical extension element 30.1 having a first region 70with a diameter D1 and an adjoining, second region 72 with a diameterD2.

[0037] An end stop 32 is integrally formed on that end region of theextension element 30.1 which is located opposite the latching element44. A bushing 34 is arranged with sliding action on the second region72, the external diameter of said bushing being designed such that thebushing 34 can be arranged with clamping action in the central recess 80of the second profile 28. Arranged between the bushing 34 and thelatching element 44, in the first region 70, is a spring element 36which encloses the first region 70, namely a helical spring which issupported, on the one hand, against the latching element 44 and, on theother hand, against the bushing 34. Since the diameter D1 of the firstregion 70 is larger than the diameter D2 of the second region 72, a stopsurface 50 is provided for the bushing 34 at the transition between thetwo regions 70, 72. The opposite stop for the bushing 34 is formed bythe end stop 32, which is integrally formed in the second region 72.

[0038] On account of the geometry selected, it is thus possible for thebushing 34 to be displaced in an elastically resilient manner by theextent V counter to the action of the helical spring 36. Conversely,this means that in the case of installation, upon insertion of theconnector bolt 12.1 with the extension element 30.1 into the centralrecess 80, an amount of elastically compliant joining play is providedfor the head contour 14.1 in the direction of the longitudinal axis ofthe central recess 80, with the result that the head contour 14.1 caneasily be inserted into the groove 42.

[0039] In order to produce the connection between the first profile 26and the second profile 28, the procedure during installation is asfollows.

[0040] In the first instance, a bore 62 is drilled into the secondprofile 28 perpendicularly to the central recess 80. A connector sleeve16 with internal thread 20 is introduced into this bore 62. Theconnector sleeve 16 here has, perpendicularly to its longitudinal axis,a bolt recess 22 which, with the connector sleeve 16 introduced into thebore 62, is made to coincide with the central recess 80. Once theconnector sleeve 16 has been introduced, the connector bolt 12.1 withplugged-on extension element 30.1, bushing 34 and spring element 36 isguided into the central recess 80 and through the bolt recess 22 of theconnector sleeve 16. The clamping action of the bushing 34 inconjunction with the spring element 36 provides certain fixing for theconnector bolt 12.1, although, at the same time, there is a sufficientamount of installation play available for inserting the head contour14.1 into the groove 42. Once the head contour 14.1 has been insertedinto the groove 42 of the first profile 26, a threaded pin 18 withexternal thread 24 is screwed into the connector sleeve 16, saidthreaded pin having a conical tip 64 which, as it is screwed in to anincreasing extent, pushes against the conical wall of the recess 66 ofthe shank 40 of the connector bolt 12.1. The longitudinal axis 78 of thethreaded pin 18 is offset by the extent A in relation to the tip of theconical recess 66 of the shank 40. As a result, the end region 64, asconical tip, pushes against the rear abutment surface of the conicalrecess 66 when the threaded pin 18 is screwed in the connector bolt 12.1is pressed in the direction of the second profile 28, as a result ofwhich the head contour 14.1 engages with pressing action behind theinner flanks of the groove 42 of the first profile 26. This ensuresreliable connection between the second profile 28 and the first profile26.

[0041] The exemplary embodiment according to FIG. 3 shows a furthervariant of a connector device 10.2, in the case of which use is made ofan extension element 30.2 which is designed a drive-in pin which can bedriven into a recess 76 provided on the shank 40 of the connector bolt12.2. Otherwise, a bushing 34 and a helical spring 36 are likewiseprovided in the case of the extension element 30.2. As soon as theextension element 30.2 is driven in, this produces a non-releasableconnection to the shank 40 of the connector bolt 12.2. Only one partthus has to be introduced into the central recess 80 of the secondprofile 28 during installation. The ultimately force-transmittingconnection is also ensured in this case by the abovedescribed connectorsleeve 16 with screwed-in threaded pin 18.

[0042]FIG. 4 shows, in detail form, a cross section through anembodiment of the bushing 34 which has a double-lipped circumferentialcontour and a slit 60 and in the side wall of which a spring ring 74 ispositioned. The inner recess of the bushing 34 may be formed, forexample, by a sliding flanged bushing.

[0043]FIG. 5 illustrates, schematically, a sectional illustrationthrough the second profile 28, with connector device 10.3 plugged intothe central recess 80. The connector device 10.3 is retained withclamping action in the central recess 80 via the bushing 34. Thegeometry and/or the length of the extension element 30.3 and of theconnector bolt 12.3 here is selected such that in this state, on accountof the spring element 36, the end contour 14 of the connector bolt 12.3projects in relation to the end side 82 of the second profile 28 by anextent U which is dimensioned such that it corresponds to the spacing Nfrom the start of the undercut groove 42 of the first profile 26. Thisallows straightforward insertion of the end contour 14 into the groove42. Insertion into smaller groove depths is likewise possible in whichthe connector device 10.3 is pushed further into the central recess 80counter to the action of the spring element 36. The fixing of theconnector device 10.3 within the central recess via a threaded pin isnot illustrated specifically in FIG. 5.

[0044]FIG. 6 shows a schematic perspective view, in detail form, in theconnecting region with the profiles partly cut away. In the case of thisembodiment, use is made of a connector bolt 12.3 which has an endcontour 14.3 which has two mutually opposite flattened regions 34, theflattened regions 34 butting against the longitudinal groove sides whenthe end contour 14.3 has been introduced into the groove 43 of the firstprofile 76, this resulting in a rotation-prevention means for theconnector device. Such a rotation-prevention means facilitatesinstallation to a considerable extent.

1. A connector device (10.1, 10.2) for connecting a first profile (26)to the end side of a second profile (28) with a central recess (80),having a connector bolt (12.1, 12.2) with a shank (40) and an endcontour (14), it being possible for the shank (40) of the connector bolt(12.1, 12.2) to be arranged and fixed in the central recess (80) of thesecond profile (28), and the end contour (14), in the installed state ofthe connector device, engaging with clamping action behind a recess, inparticular groove (42), in the first profile (26), it being the casethat the connector bolt (12.1, 12.2) is adjoined, on the end side whichis located opposite the end contour (14), by an extension element (30.1,30.2) with an end stop (32), the extension element (30.1, 30.2) ismounted with sliding action in a bushing (34), and provided between thebushing (34) and the connector bolt (12.1, 12.2) is an elastic element(36) which acts directly or indirectly on the bushing (34) and theconnector bolt (12.1, 12.2), the diameter of the shank (40) of theconnector bolt (12.1, 12.2) corresponds to the diameter of the centralrecess (80) of the second profile (28), the bushing (34) is arranged inthe region of the extension element (30.1, 30.2), the bushing (34) canbe fixed with clamping action in the central recess (80) of the secondprofile (28), and the geometry of the arrangement and/or the length ofthe extension element (30.3), of the connector bolt (12.1) with endcontour (14) and the elastic element (36) are coordinated with oneanother such that, once the bushing (34) has been pushed with clampingaction into the central recess (80) of the second profile (28), the endcontour (14) projects beyond the end side (82) of the second profile(28) by an extent (U) which corresponds to the insertion-groove depth(N) of the first profile (26).
 2. The connector device as claimed inclaim 1, characterized in that the elastic element (34) is designed as aspring element, in particular as a helical spring which encloses theextension element (30.1, 30.2) in certain regions.
 3. The connectordevice as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the extensionelement is connected integrally to the connector bolt, or the extensionelement (30.1, 30.2), the connector bolt (12.1, 12.2), the bushing (34)and the elastic element (36) form a single manageable unit.
 4. Theconnector device as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that theextension element (30.2) is designed as a drive-in element, inparticular a notched nail, drive-in pin or knurled pin.
 5. The connectordevice as claimed in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the extensionelement (30.1) is connected in a releasable manner onto the connectorbolt (12.1).
 6. The connector device as claimed in claim 5,characterized in that for the releasable connection to the connectorbolt (12.1), the extension element (30.1) has a latching element (44)and the connector bolt (12.1) has a corresponding mating latchingelement (46).
 7. The connector device as claimed in one or more of thepreceding claims, characterized in that the extension element isdesigned as a plastic injection molding.
 8. The connector device asclaimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe bushing (34) has a radial slit (60).
 9. The connector device asclaimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterized in thatthe outer contour of the bushing (34) which butts against the wall ofthe central recess (80) of the second profile (28) is of double-lippeddesign.
 10. The connector device as claimed in one or more of precedingclaims 1 to 8, characterized in that the outer contour of the bushingwhich butts against the wall of the central recess of the second profileis of semicircular design with convex curvature.
 11. The connectordevice as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterizedin that the bushing has a sliding flanged bushing.
 12. The connectordevice as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims, characterizedin that the the shank (48) of the extension unit (30.1, 30.2) has a stop(50) for the bushing (34).
 13. The connector device as claimed in claim8, characterized in that a spring ring (56) is positioned in the wall ofthe bushing (34).
 14. The connector device as claimed in one or more ofthe preceding claims, characterized in that the head contour (14.2) ofthe connector bolt (12.2) is designed as a head which has a circularcross section and of which the encircling end border which is orientedtoward the shank (40) has an annular cutting edge (54).
 15. Theconnector device as claimed in one or more of the preceding claims,characterized in that there is provided a connector sleeve (16) whichhas an internal thread (20) and can be introduced into a bore (62) whichis provided perpendicularly to the longitudinal direction of the secondprofile (28) and has a bolt recess (22) such that the connector device(10.1, 10.2) can be pushed through the bolt recess (22) when theconnector sleeve (16) has been inserted into the bore (62), and athreaded pin (18) of corresponding external thread (24) can be screwedinto the internal thread (20) of said connector sleeve, it beingpossible for the threaded pin, at least in certain regions, to bescrewed in a form-fitting manner, by way of its end region (64), into acontour (66) provided on the shank (40) of the connector bolt (12.1,12.2), as a result of which the end contour (14.1, 14.2) of theconnector bolt (12.1, 12.2) is clamped in the recess (42) of the firstprofile (26).
 16. The connector device as claimed in one or more of thepreceding claims, characterized in that the end contour (14.3) of theconnector bolt (12.3) has at least one planar flattened region (84)which, with the end contour (14.3) introduced in to the groove (42) ofthe first profile (26), butts against the longitudinal groove wall andthus forms a rotation-prevention means.
 17. The connector device asclaimed in claim 16, characterized in that the end contour has twomutually opposite flattened planar regions (84) and the spacing betweenthe planar regions corresponds to the undercut groove width.